2d.

The weather was extremely warm. I amused myself part of the day in reading, and part
in shooting. The cherry trees which are quite full at present, are so inviting to
the birds that, there is very good sport with little trouble.

Docno: ADMS-03-02-02-0003-0007-0003

Author: Adams, John Quincy

Date: 1788-07-03

3d.

Between nine and ten I went with my father from Braintree. We got into Cambridge at
about twelve. After stopping a few minutes at College, we first went down and called
upon Judge Trowbridge:1 He is very old; and although active for his years, yet the depradations of time are
conspicuous upon him. We dined at Mr. Dana's. Mr. and Mrs. Channing from Rhode Island,
were there; they are agreeable. In the afternoon we first called at the Presidents,
and drank tea there: from thence we went to Mr. Gerry's and past the evening: we found
Mrs. Warren there, and were in the midst of antifederalism: but quite in good humour.
My father had promised to take a lodging, at Judge Dana's; but at Mr. Gerry's invitation
I past the night at his house.

4th.

We left Cambridge by nine o'clock, and got into Boston in the midst of the bustle.
We went immediately to Bracken's tavern. After dressing, I walk'd out; and met with
a number of my very good friends. At about eleven we went to the old South meeting
house, and heard Mr. Otis deliver an Oration.1 The composition and the delivery were much superior even to my expectations, which
were somewhat sangwine. It was greatly superior in my opinion to that which he delivered
when he took his second degree; the only public performance, that I had heard before
from him. I saw my good friend Bridge for a few minutes only: he told me he expected
to be at Newbury-Port in about three weeks from this. I likewise met with Townsend
as I was going out of the Church; and we went together to the old brick; to hear General
Hull's Oration to the Cincinnati;2 it appeared to me rather indifferent; and the effect upon me was the greater from
the in• { 425 } voluntary comparison with that which I had just heard. However I found afterwards
there were many persons who thought or pretended to think this Oration better both
in matter and manner than the other: and they have certainly a right to enjoy their
opinions: I dined at Deacon Storer's. Parson Wibird was there and some other company.
In the afternoon I walk'd up on the common, to see the military parade, which was
not however so spirited as at the last anniversary: but in the middle of the afternoon,
the news arrived that Virginia had acceded to the federal Constitution, and immediately
the bells were set to ringing, and the guns to firing again, without any mercy, and
continued all the remainder of the afternoon. In the evening a number of young fellows
paraded round the streets with candles lighted in their hands, and a drum before them,
not much to their own credit or to the honour of the day; but they did no damage.
I spent part of the evening with several of my classmates; but not finding Bridge,
I returned early, and took my lodging at Brackett's.